From groundnuts to grandeur: Kadalekai Parishe dazzles with Mysuru Dasara-style glow
7 months on, Bengaluru has no functioning pet crematorium
Final edition of Happy Streets at MEI Layout in Bengaluru
Government revises compensation for victims of stray dog bites in Greater Bengaluru Authority areas
Male leopard dies in Bannerughatta zoo in Bengaluru
Fitness, art & community spirit take over Bengalurus Happy Streets
Four art mediums redefine epic in Bluru
Shivakumar Loyalists Meet Mallikarjun Kharge In Delhi Amid Karnataka Leadership Change Buzz
The late-night meeting has fuelled rumours of a power tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka
Karnataka stands in 10th position in Child Rights Index
Cricket match inside Karnatakas Nagarahole Tiger Reserve sparks outrage; Minister orders probe
Teen held for sexually harassing woman walking her dog in Bengaluru
Bgavi regional commissioner to decide fate of GP chairman in child marriage case
Escape bid fails: 2 mobile snatchers fall into drain in Bengaluru
Sports activities help police manage stress: DC
Man arrested for raping, impregnating minor sister-in-law
Special needs girl found hanging
IEMS B-School hosts orientation prog for 1st-year MBA students
Siddaramaiah will finish 5-year tenure as CM: Koppal MLA
Govt PU college students visit IIT Dharwad
Hiring sweeping machines affordable than buying: GBA chief
Cyber fraudsters dupe retired defence officer of 56 lakh
Schools directed to allocate time for physical education
This persistent warming has directly translated into record-breaking electricity demand, reaching around 250 GW during the summer of 2024, largely due to surging cooling needs across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, the report points out
Woman gets stuck in the blades of sugarcane harvester, dies
Family of three murdered accuses police of failing to arrest accused
BJP says political influence shielding accused Vijay Halli and Shankar Allolli who are close associates of Minister Priyank Kharge
50% discount on unpaid traffic e-challans from Nov. 21 to Dec. 12
Ex gratia cant be deducted from insurance payout: Karnataka high court
Leopard dead in Bannerghatta Biological Park
Five-year-old dies in leopard attack in Tarikere
Activists demand statehood for North Karnataka to become prosperous
Successive governments have neglected the region and the only way for growth is by attaining statehood
3 months on, Karnataka State Education Policy rollout in limbo as govt delays review panel
The police cannot refuse to transfer arms licence to the legal heir of an licence holder for the reason that there is no threat to life to the heir when the Arms Rules, 2016, which has a specific provision for transferring arms licence, does not prescribe it as a condition, said the High Court of Karnataka
Cricket match inside Nagarhole: Minister seeks report
Akashvani Sangeeth Sammelan to be held on November 23
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will keep his word, says D.K. Suresh
In an indirect reference to the informal power-sharing pact in the State on the occasion of the government completing the first half of its full term, D.K. Suresh, former Congress MP, has said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will keep his word
Discussion on change of Chief Minister unnecessary, says Siddaramaiah
Supreme Court grants interim bail to main accused in SI recruitment scam
MP directs Belagavi officers to speed up work on pending projects
Complete road repairs on priority, says Jagadish Shettar
IADVL annual conference starting today
Scientists identify fundamental genetic switch that enables pregnancy to begin
Unity March in Ballari draws widespread public attention
It was organised as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Karnataka Traffic Fines: Govt Announces 50% Rebate Till Dec 12 - Deccan Herald
Karnataka Traffic Fines: Govt Announces 50% Rebate Till Dec 12 Deccan Herald
Healthy citizens are the true wealth of a nation
Teachers of unaided schools stage protest in Shivamogga, demand grant-in-aid
Karnataka Chief Minister Battle Again? MLAs From DK Shivakumar Camp In Delhi
A group of Karnataka Congress lawmakers - who have backed DK Shivakumar in his tug-of-war with Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister's post - landed in Delhi Thursday night, the day before a rumoured power-sharing deal between the two expires.
Bidar officials told to take immediate steps against stray dog menace
CM to visit Hassan on December 6: Revenue Minister holds meeting with elected representatives
Mysuru City Corporation signs MoU under Swachh Shehar Jodi
'No November Revolution': Siddaramaiah Dismisses CM Change Buzz, Calls It 'Media Creation'
The leadership change buzz has plagued the ruling Congress in Karnataka for months with reports of a November revolution as Siddaramaiah completes 2.5 years in power this month
After Shivakumars cryptic remark, Siddaramaiah hints at continuing as Karnataka CM
Bengaluru: Signalling that he will continue as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah has asserted that he would present his record 17th Budget next year. Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented his 16th budget in March. He was speaking at the golden jubilee of LG Havanur on Wednesday, marking submission of the first Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
800 Years, One Royal Family And A Kambala That Still Stops Coastal Karnataka
No other buffaloes are allowed to race alongside this pair. It is a gesture of respect that has survived centuries, even as governments, borders and laws have changed around it.
Tourists banned from hill stations in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka due to Datta Jayanti
However, the ban would not apply to the local people and those who had booked homestays and resorts well in advance
Karnataka police to launch a hunt for robbery involved in Rs 7.11 crore heist
Karnataka Police are hunting a gang that robbed Rs 7.11 crore in broad daylight in Bengaluru after posing as RBI officials and threatening staff at gunpoint
Dharmasthala case: Govt has given clearance, it is for SIT to submit charge sheet, says minister
In a significant development, the Karnataka government has authorized the Special Investigation Team to draft a charge sheet concerning the Dharmasthala incident. This document is anticipated to be presented to the Belthangady court shortly. Throughout the course of the investigation, skeletal remains were unearthed from various sites.
Karnataka announces Rs 5 lakh relief for fatal dog-bite victims' families; Rs 5000 for injured
The government has also detailed compensation for non-fatal injuries caused by stray dogs.
Traffic police propose new tech for Multi Level Car Parking at 66 places in Bengaluru
This follows a recent meeting over the parking crisis in Bengaluru, and directions issued to BTP and civic officials to come up with solutions for the same
ATM cash van 7.11 crore robbery in Bengaluru: Gang switched vehicles, says Karnataka Home Minister
The robbery took place on November 19 afternoon when the accused, posing as RBI officials, intercepted a CMS cash van near Jayanagar
Case of Trafficking, Organ Theft in Iran: NIA Probes Accused's Health Club in Kerala
Investigation shows that organ donors were primarily from Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and the organ recipients were from various North Indian states, with the network charging up to Rs 50 lakh per transplant
50,000 children still await justice as juvenile boards battle 55 per cent case backlog: Report
NEW DELHI: More than 50,000 children in conflict with the law remain stuck in a slow-moving justice system where over half the cases are pending at 362 Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), according to a new India Justice Report (IJR) study released on Thursday. Despite ten years of the Juvenile Justice Act coming into force, glaring gaps, ranging from missing judges, under-inspected homes, absent data systems and wide state-level disparities continue to afflict justice delivery, the study said. The report, Juvenile Justice and Children in Conflict with the Law: A Study of Capacity at the Frontlines, shows that as of October 31, 2023, 55 per cent of 100,904 cases before JJBs were pending, with pendency ranging from 83 per cent in Odisha to 35 per cent in Karnataka. Though 92 per cent of India's 765 districts have constituted JJBs, one in four boards operates without a full bench. On average, each JJB carried a backlog of 154 cases. The findings come against the backdrop of 40,036 juveniles being apprehended in 31,365 cases under the IPC and special laws in 2023, with three-fourths of them aged between 16 and 18, according to Crime in India data. Yet, a decade after decentralising juvenile justice architecture, the study says systemic limitations continue to block timely support and rehabilitation. NCPCR rescues over 2,300 children in six months, calls for stronger monitoring and awareness The report highlights that 30 per cent of JJBs do not have an attached legal services clinic. Fourteen states and Jammu and Kashmir lack places of safety, vital for housing children above 18. Oversight of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) is also falling short across 166 homes in these states; only 810 of the mandated 1,992 inspections were carried out. Data from 292 districts further show there are just 40 child care homes exclusively for girls. The study flagged the near absence of publicly available national-level data on juvenile justice. With no equivalent of the National Judicial Data Grid for JJBs, the IJR team had to file more than 250 RTI applications. The response pattern itself pointed to weak transparency of over 500 replies received from 28 states and two Union Territories; 11 per cent were rejected, 24 per cent received no response, 29 per cent were merely transferred, and only 36 per cent provided usable information. Calling the findings a warning sign, Maja Daruwala, chief editor of the India Justice Report, said the juvenile justice system relies on a regular flow of information from authorities. But the attempt to gather basic data showed that authorised oversight bodies neither receive it routinely nor insist on it. Scattered and irregular data makes supervision episodic and accountability hollow, she said.
Davanagere students make sanitary pads & clothes from betel nut peel
Students at BIET have developed a sustainable solution by transforming discarded betel nut peels into fabric and sanitary pads. This innovative research, utilizing a zero-cost raw material, promises to reduce product costs by 50%. The project, supported by government agencies, aims for mass production of these biodegradable and eco-friendly items.
Photographic art book Hampi: The Rituals of Time by Saibal Das launched in Bengaluru
H. K. Patil said Saibal Dass book captures the rich heritage, culture and archaeology of Hampi, bringing alive an ancient civilization that was once the cynosure of all eyes
Addressing a party event marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Wednesday, Shivakumar said that he does not want to remain the KPCC chief forever.
368 wards under five Greater Bengaluru Authority corporations
BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Wednesday published the final notification on ward delimitation, formally recognising 368 wards for Bengalurus city administration under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, to be governed by five city corporations. A draft notification issued on September 29 had proposed the same number of wards across the five corporations, 63 in Bengaluru Central, 72 in Bengaluru North, 50 in Bengaluru East, 111 in Bengaluru West, and 72 in Bengaluru South, and invited objections and suggestions. The Urban Development Department received 4,892 objections and suggestions, all of which were examined by the Wards Delimitation Commission. The final notification states that ward numbering within each Assembly constituency follows the serpentine or boustrophedon system, which will be continued in subsequent constituencies as well. Several ward names have been changed, and certain boundary lines have been revised to mark roads as ward limits clearly. The government has now cleared a major hurdle for conducting the long-pending municipal elections, overdue since September 10, 2020. Officials noted that with Bengalurus population expanding rapidly from 84 lakh in 2011 to an estimated 144 lakh in 2025 , the delimitation exercise was essential for effective administration. Following the final notification, the government has also completed the ward-wise reservation list as of November 30. 4,892 Objections & Suggestions recorded Bengaluru North City Corporation 693 Bengaluru South City Corporation 420 Bengaluru West City Corporation 2,965 Bengaluru East City Corporation 413 Bengaluru Central City Corporation 401
Kannada Development Authority president Purushothama Bilimale faced sharp criticism from the BJP for his remarks suggesting many Yakshagana artistes are homosexual due to troupe travel and pressure in playing female roles. BJP state president Vijayendra called the comments outrageous and demanded Bilimale's removal, deeming it an insult to artistes and the community.
Make Bengaluru plastic-free by 2030, says CM Siddaramaiah
BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed that Bengaluru manufactures 900 tonnes of plastic daily, and called on all stakeholders and the public to make Bengaluru plastic-free by 2030. People should become aware of the ill-effects of plastic, or it will not be possible to turn Bengaluru into a plastic-free city. The city can become plastic-free by 2030 only by creating awareness about the environment and joining hands with the government, he stated. He made the remarks after inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board at Palace Grounds on Wednesday. He appealed to Bengalureans to segregate dry and wet waste, before handing it over to the municipality. CM announced a Rs 1 crore endowment fund in memory of green activist Salumarada Thimmakka, and said an environment-related programme should be held and five environmentalists honoured in Thimmakkas memory. Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister B Eshwar Khandre said an attempt should be made to make at least 50 wards of Bengaluru plastic-free this year. KSPCB Chairman PM Narendraswamy said in most districts, sewage treatment plants are not functional, and sewage is entering water bodies. He appealed to the CM to instruct all district administrations and local bodies to prevent this. The board has decided to increase the number of river water measurement stations to prevent water pollution. In Dakshina Kannada district, roads are constructed from waste. I appeal for recycling of waste in all districts, said the chairman. Later, the CM, DCM DK Shivakumar and Khandre felicitated 10 persons with the Indira Priyadarshini Environmental Award for their work in pollution control.
At 8.5%, Bengaluru to grow far faster than Mumbai, Delhi
BENGALURU: The Bengaluru Innovation Report, released by IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday, says Bengaluru is set to grow annually at 8.5% till 2035, far ahead that of Mumbai (6.6%) and Delhi (6.5%). Bengaluru hosts 40% of Indias Global Capability Centres (GCCs), the highest in the country, and it is projected to double by 2029. The report highlights why global tech giants are choosing Bengaluru to become the AI-Quantum Computing hotspot of India. As per the report there is a corporate cost advantage because the median annual salary of a software professional in Bengaluru was $12,000, which is substantially lower than its international peers. The cost of office space rent in Bengaluru is one third of that in Beijing. Additionally, 48% of the GCC talent pool in Bengaluru is engaged in high-end rolesengineering, research and development. Also the city has the most affordable housing and is the cheapest among leading global startup ecosystems in terms of cost of living. The report states that Bengaluru is Indias tech talent engine as it is the tech and human capital centre of the nation. The report says that women-led startups have prospered in Bengaluru-- the total capital raised by them in Bengaluru stood at $ 13.4 billion, the highest among all cities in India. Bengaluru is now the worlds fifth-largest unicorn hub. Of the 122 unicorns in India cumulatively valued at $ 353 billion, a total of 53 unicorns (startups valued at $ 1 billion) are from the city. Their combined valuation is estimated at Rs 1.70 lakh crore ($192 billion). Bengaluru-based unicorns contribute 42% of Indias total unicorn valuation. Bengaluru is also attracting soonicorns startups on the path to becoming unicorns like a magnet. The city is home to 39 soonicorns, ahead of Delhi-NCR (30) and Mumbai (21), reflecting Bengalurus dominance in nurturing world-class tech talent. GBA CHIEF OUTLINES CITYS NEW GOVERNANCE MODEL Bengaluru: At an interactive session during the Bengaluru Tech Summit, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao joined Venk Krishnan, Founder & CEO of NuVentures, for an interaction on the citys governance, traffic challenges and future liveability. Krishnan acknowledged the citys remarkable global pull despite its infrastructure strain. People from all over the world want to move herefor the ecosystem, the warmth of the people, and the weather, he said, adding that even unicorn founders frustrated with traffic rarely relocate outside Bengaluru. Rao outlined the new administrative structure, created to make governance more agile. Bengaluru, earlier managed by a single municipal corporation, now has five corporations supported by the GBA, chaired by the Chief Minister. Coordination was our biggest gaproads repaired one day would be dug up the next. The GBA ensures all civic agencies work in harmony, he said. Addressing congestion, Rao said Bengaluru has 1.2 crore registered vehicles, with thousands added daily, making expanded public transport the citys best strategy. Indra S INFOSYS NAMED IT RATNA OF KARNATAKA Bengaluru: Karnatakas leadership in the IT and IT-enabled services (IT/ITES) sector was reaffirmed with the announcement of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) IT Export Awards for FY 2024-25. Infosys Litd received the highest honour -- the IT Ratna of Karnataka -- awarded to companies with exports exceeding Rs 15,000 crore. In the IT Pride of Karnataka category, recognising IT/ITES companies with exports between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 15,000 crore, 13 leading global and Indian technology firms were honoured. Q-CITY TO TAKE SHAPE IN HESSARGHATTA BY 2028 BENGALURU: Indias first Quantum City will be set up in Hessarghatta with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The ground work for the greenfield project will start in 2026 and is likely to be completed by 2028. Speaking at the sidelines of the launch of the project concept, at the second day of the three-day long Bengaluru Tech Summit-2025, Prof Arindam Ghosh, Department of Physics, IISc, said, the city will have residential, office and education spaces. A dedicated quantum road map is being prepared detailing the timeline for the execution of each project. A committee of experts is also being created, he added. Ghosh is the technical committee head of the Quantum Summit. IISc is helping the state government in implementing the project. The first Quantum Research Park was set up in IISc in 2022. He said the Quantum City is being set up emulating the one in Switzerland as well as including best practices from other countries. Science and Technology Minister NS Boseraju held a Quantum Technology Round Table discussion with industry experts, stakeholders and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge ahead of the release of the landscape plan. Bosky Khanna
Murder of a merchant without a past
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Long before police pieced together the lies he lived and died for, Harihara Varma built a life like a man who knew how to stay just outside the reach of questions. He sold gemstones whose origins he never fully explained, claimed ancestral links he never proved and told stories so confidently that even seasoned buyers found themselves leaning in. It was these tales that drew a group of young men into his orbit, ultimately paving way for his demise. What happened on December 24, 2012, was a murder wrapped inside a scam. Varma walked into what he believed was a business deal with buyers from Karnataka who posed as high-profile men looking to acquire rare and precious stones. In truth, everything about that meeting was scripted, a trap the gang spent seven months constructing. They used SIM cards acquired using fake Aadhaar cards. They created a fictitious persona the son of a Karnataka minister to make the deal look grander. A lawyer, the sixth accused, was the middleman. The meeting place was the lawyers daughters locked house in Vattiyoorkavu. The police would later say the planning was almost immaculate. But as retired Intelligence Range SP R Prathapan Nair, who was part of the Special Investigation Team, puts it, No matter how meticulous, there will always be a lead. Harihara Varma In this case, the lead was a phone number the killers thought they had erased. All their devices were destroyed after the murder, every SIM discarded. But one phone number they had used to contact Varma, eight months earlier, resurfaced under the Vattiyoorkavu mobile tower on the very day the murder took place. It was enough. Once police pulled that thread, the rest of the conspiracy was solved. The gangs plan was not to kill him but to sedate him, take the stones and disappear. When negotiations failed and Varma refused to finalise the deal, they tried sedatives and then chloroform. The dosage went wrong, and the robbery turned into homicide. But the real mystery of the case was not the murder. It was the man at the centre of it. Police soon realised that very little about Harihara Varma was real. His tales of a Poonjar ancestral lineage and inherited jewels were fabrications. His documents raised more questions than answers. To this day, officers believe he might have been an orphan, someone who ran away in his teens, wandered across northern India, and slowly built a new identity. The police made enquiries to various royal families. However, they couldnt find anyone named Bhaskara Varma and his son Harihara Varma. Even the stones that drove the conspiracy turned out to be far less valuable than believed. Then assistant commissioner, now Kozhikode Rural SP K E Baiju, recalls how the team searched across the country for an accredited gem expert to authenticate Varmas collection. There was none. The stones were eventually deemed semi-precious, worth about `30 lakh together, nothing to justify the greedy fantasy that led to his death. They thought it was worth `300 crore, says Baiju. Varmas wife, Girija Menon, later moved the court, saying some stones had ties to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. But since the investigation could never establish anything substantial, thecourt later dismissed it. She had lived with him for more than 15 years. Yet, even when the investigation reached its most crucial stages, his wife did not disclose his identity. I believe she knows. But we cannot force them into polygraph tests, adds Baiju. The case was later handed over to the crime branch. They found 3,647 gemstones, which included 65 pearls, 73 emeralds, 22 chrysoberyl stones, 4 rubies, 5 sapphires and 29 yellow sapphires. Several were brilliantly cut, some were unpolished, some were of doubtful quality, and 341 of them were later determined to be artificial. However, a geologist who examined them would testify that 3,306 stones were naturally formed precious stones, even if not all were high-value gems. The killers Jithesh, Ajeesh, Rakhil, and Ragesh were eventually convicted and handed life sentences. Joseph and lawyer Haridas were acquitted. The murder investigation was closed with clarity. However, the tale of Varma, his origins, his curated persona, and his secrets remain unresolved to date. The man left behind no verifiable past. CasE diary This weekly column brings you exciting, intriguing police stories, straight from the crime files
Congress dilemma in Upper House
NEW DELHI: Still reeling from its devastating performance in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress now faces a critical test of biannual Rajya Sabha elections, scheduled for early next year. With the partys Assembly seats shrinking in several key states and alliance leverage weakening, it may struggle to retain its influence in the Upper House. Elections for 75 seats in the Rajya Sabha are scheduled across April, June, and November 2026. While the BJP-led NDA is expected to make net gains, the elections may present an uphill task for the Congress with its weakened MLA base and rising internal dissent. The elections will see seats vacated across multiple states, including Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, among others. Although Congress may lose some seats, it is likely to retain as many as nine seatsthree from Karnataka, two from Telangana, one each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. With some seasoned leaders set to exit, the elections are viewed as crucial by many. Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026. While Kharge, whose term from Karnataka ends on June 25, 2026, is expected to be renominated for another term, says party sources. Kharge is the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (LoP) as well. While veteran leaders may push for renomination, arguing that experienced voices are needed in the Upper House, a section of leaders also root for fielding fresh faces to revive the partys prospects in Parliament and state units. Although the official candidate selection process is months away, the sources say that some names are already doing the rounds. While Congress is expected to hold ground in Karnataka and Telangana, it risks losing seats in states where its footprint has shrunk. The partys hopes also hinge on coalition arithmetic in Maharashtra, where shifting alliances and fragmented mandates could influence the outcome Meanwhile, regional allies within the INDIA bloc will also play a critical role in negotiating seat-sharing arrangements, making strategic alliances more crucial than ever. Maharashtra will see seven seats vacant in April 2026, with Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT), and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale completing their terms. Congress is entering these elections with limited leverage. The Bihar election has reduced its bargaining power among the allies, said a senior party leader. Success will depend not just on numbers, but on negotiation skills and candidate selection. On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA, buoyed by strong Assembly numbers in key states, is expected to leverage its dominance to gain additional Rajya Sabha seats, further squeezing Congress. Kharge, Singhvi among those completing terms this year Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026.
Foreign tours for Karnataka's govt school heads if admission targets met
Karnataka's education department is incentivizing school heads and officials with foreign study tours to boost student admissions. A 15% enrollment increase is required by 2026-27, with higher targets for specific school types. Top performers across various administrative and teaching roles will be selected for international exposure, aiming to implement global best practices.
I cannot hold post permanently: DK Shivakumar hints at quitting key Congress role
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hinted at stepping down as KPCC president after over five years, stating others should get a chance. He assured party workers he would remain in the frontline leadership, emphasizing his commitment to setting organizational standards.
Beyond Bengaluru: Can Karnatakas New IT Policy Redraw The Start-up Map?
Karnatakas Startup Policy 2025 aims to create 25,000 startups in five years, reimbursing rental payments and lowering operating costs through infrastructure for new founders
IAS officer from Karnataka's Tiptur brings about RWH revolution in Madhya Pradesh
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: In a proud moment for Karnataka, IAS officer Dr Nagarjun B Gowda, a native of Tiptur in Tumakuru district and now CEO of Khandwa Zilla Panchayat in Madhya Pradesh, was honoured by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan on Tuesday. Khandwa district was declared the Best Performing District in the country under the Union Jal Shakti ministrys rainwater harvesting programme, earning a cash award of Rs 2 crore. Dr Gowda and Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta received the award together, for their model of water conservation that has turned a semi-arid region into a national example. Speaking to The New Indian Express after the ceremony, Dr Gowda traced the roots of his mission back to his childhood in drought-hit Tiptur. Khandwa resembles my hometown. I grew up watching my parents Bette Gowda and Prabha Gowda, both teachers but from a farming family, and neighbours struggle for water. As a boy, I would cycle long distances to fill a few buckets from borewells that barely yielded anything, he recalled. Sometimes I would yank that borewell lever for up to 10 minutes before it yielded a precious bucket of water, he added. Just north of Tumakuru is Chitradurga, among the most arid regions in Karnataka which has been drought-hit for decades. Those memories followed him through medical school in Mandya, where water scarcity and a recurring Cauvery crisis left a deep impact. So when the Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari scheme was launched, it became personal, he said. Under the leadership of DC Rishav Gupta, and with Dr Gowda spearheading the grassroots effort, Khandwa mounted a district-wide movement. Officials, from the village accountant to the DC, went from village to village, urging residents, farmers, schools and government offices to adopt rainwater harvesting. The result: Over 1,29,000 installations, including 40,000 rooftop water harvesting systems, recharge pits, trenches and other structures, turned Khandwa into a rainwater-positive district, and set a benchmark for the country. Next year, we are targeting more such structures. This award belongs to the people of Khandwa, Dr Gowda said. Back home in Karnataka, the achievement resonates strongly: a son of the soil, shaped by drought, has shown India how to turn scarcity into abundance.
Elevation Capitals Paytm bet pays off; Inside Joyalukkas 70-year journey
Elevation sells a near 2% stake in Paytm in a bulk deal on Tuesday. Joy Alukkas, Chairman and Managing Director of Joyalukkas, talks about building a jewellery conglomerate. Stories from Karnataka to Maharashtra highlight how co-ops are supporting women.
JD(s) plans stir to support distressed farmers in Tungabhadra basin
Siddaramaiah renews push for reservation in private sector
Supreme Court order a breather but Karnatakas fight over Mekedatu reservoir begins now
Parks in Dharwad crying for attention
After 5-year civic vacuum, Bengaluru set for fab five polls
Karnataka government moves to regulate spas, salons offering clinical procedures
No video shoots or group activities, government now imposes restrictions at Lalbagh in Bengaluru
Two juveniles fined for wheeling in Bengaluru
CID set to submit 2,000-page chargesheet in stadium stampede case in Bengaluru: Sources
Bengaluru generates 900 tonnes of plastic daily: Siddaramaiah
Team of Yash-starrer Kottalawadi booked in Bengaluru for cheating producer
University of Liverpool invites applications, to start classes in Bengaluru campus in 2026
